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Tavares as Captain

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We don't know what goes on in the dressing room, and while it's no surprise that fans don't like a strong silent type as the leader, we don't really know the inner workings of that team. It's Matthews' team anyways and I expect he'll be given the C with his next contract.

That said, I absolutely have criticism for JT's leadership, because I think leadership is a big part of the mental struggles. Coaching and player leadership structures work hand in hand here, and I really think better leadership would have helped put us over the hump in one of those game 7's. Can't blame JT when he was on the sidelines against Montreal, but the fact that they didn't win that series for him never sat well with me. Leadership is complicated and has many layers with different leaders for different things within the same group. Captain and coach take the bulk of those responsibilities, but it was plain to see over the last few years how Dubas has been experimenting with bringing in veteran leadership to supplement.
 
This will be the Tavares thread, Leaf whiners will moan and cry about Tavares being Captain and his contract all season long.

Tavares playing well is just a minor setback to their crying and complaining.
 
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WillyC said:
This will be the Tavares thread, Leaf whiners will moan and cry about Tavares being Captain and his contract all season long.

Tavares playing well is just a minor setback to their crying and complaining.
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maybe you should create a thread where True Leaf Fans like yourself can bitch/moan/whine and complain about other Leaf fans who you don't agree with
 
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HolyCrap said:
If he can keep playing the way he is I’d be a happy fan. Last year he was dealing with lingering injuries and then he got affected by covid. He seems to be back to his normal self.
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Covid and 2 new babies at home, who are up at all hours and keeping the household up with them. Any father on here will tell you how tough the first two years are, hockey players are no different. Now that the kids are finally sleeping through the night JT is back to his usual self
 
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Jamason said:
He's been bad 5-on-5, but he's very good at capitalizing on the man advantage and his teammates' work.
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That's kind of how it works, the guy who has scored a goal is usually and normally capitalizing on his team's hard work.

Funny enough there's even a word for it and that word is "teamwork."

JT is a guy that goes out shift after shift and gives the proverbial 110%. He continually works hard, even though the Leafs might not be awarded with a goal, next shift he gives the same level of effort.

PPG is a lofty number in the NHL and JT seems to always be flirting with it all the time. That ladies and gentlemen takes a lot of hard work, a lot.

There isn't a guy in that room that doesn't notice that hard work. That hardwork should inspire them to work as hard as he does, to go out and do their job to the best of their abilities and most nights they do.
 
I've never heard a player get so many comments around parenthood than JT.

I'm not saying the comments are inaccurate (although he plays on the road 50% of the year, and yes, the comments are very faaaaaar stretched)...but for some reason Tavares has been given this exception. Like the NHL hasn't had parents playing in the last 90 years, lol.

I hope Captain can keep his momentum going. Hard work breeds improvement.
 
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“It’s really, really difficult to be a captain of a hockey team in Canada,” Sutter said. “It’s totally different if you’re in the sun or somewhere where it’s not a hockey market. This is totally different. There’s a lot of pressure on that player.

- Darryl Sutter, two weeks ago

I think this thread is a perfect example of this. Tavares has been a model citizen and player since being named captain. He is a point a game player, he doesn't complain, he gives the safe and boring media answers, he carries the leadership burden for the young core, and we seem to have a very good culture in the room with no known divides or cliques. He doesn't mind and seems to support Matthews and Marner growing into leadership roles and he has embraced veteran leaders brought into help along the way.

Maybe Rielly could have been a good choice too, having then both (and others) in the room is a strength of the organization.
 
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Wanderer said:
With all the talk on the board about the Leafs coming out flat and playing down to weaker opponents, I’ve always thought this problem was on Keefe but where’s the captain in all of this? He seems so boring and uninspired whenever I watch postgame interviews. Recall back to the playoffs against Tampa last year when Spezza had to calm them down and give them a “spark” during intermission. Why isn’t J.T. giving them that spark, drive, motivation, etc. Is there something I’m missing? Thoughts?
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The guy works his ass off. He isn't controversial, is the guy who makes sure everyone has what they need. Worked his ass off all summer to get faster or competent.. he's very similar to sundin. No drama, lead by example. Works day in and day out. Gets his 70 points. Scores clutch goals. Like what the f*** else do you want? Dion? Cocky jock doofus who controls the radio?

We are extremely lucky to have John Tavares as our second line center and captain. The hate John has received the last few years is why guys don't come here. Give your head a shake...
 
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Leafblooded said:
His wife is the one calling the shots anyway. JT is just a follower. Only reason he was named Captain is it takes one to know one. Good leaders always know how to follow rules and directions first and foremost. JT is such a follower that he fooled everyone into believing he could fulfill this role.

That's his entire schtick, just does what he's told and doesn't ask questions or provide an opinion of his own. Anything outside of his cliche soundbite answers is above his pay grade, and he will always be the first one to run away to sniff his jock in the basement when the going gets tough. That's leadership I guess, just in the wrong direction when it comes to the overall good of this team.
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Happy Wife
Happy Life


Everything past the bolded text is pretty stupid
 
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LeafGrief said:
We don't know what goes on in the dressing room, and while it's no surprise that fans don't like a strong silent type as the leader, we don't really know the inner workings of that team. It's Matthews' team anyways and I expect he'll be given the C with his next contract.

That said, I absolutely have criticism for JT's leadership, because I think leadership is a big part of the mental struggles. Coaching and player leadership structures work hand in hand here, and I really think better leadership would have helped put us over the hump in one of those game 7's. Can't blame JT when he was on the sidelines against Montreal, but the fact that they didn't win that series for him never sat well with me. Leadership is complicated and has many layers with different leaders for different things within the same group. Captain and coach take the bulk of those responsibilities, but it was plain to see over the last few years how Dubas has been experimenting with bringing in veteran leadership to supplement.
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I don’t think you can really blame JT. When he was in NYI and they made it to the second round a few times and the ECF was anyone saying he was a bad leader?

The problem is the core guys don’t have that killer instinct. Idk what it’s going to take for them to care about winning more than points. But individual accomplishments mean a lot more to them it seems. It started before JT got there. That’s Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Rielly. They are the four constants.
 
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Henkka said:
Should have kept JvR (7.0M) + Kadri (4.5M) years ago instead of Tavares.

Better used 11 Millions.
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No we should have traded JVR and Bozak rather than give them a kick at the can before we lost them for nothing. As for Kadri I feel they just should have traded for a better player. Barrie and Kerfoot were not what we needed.

JT has basically a PPG player but losing him in the bubble was devastating although we never should have lost that series.

As for who should wear the C you put it on Matthews if he signs an 8 year deal.
 
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Tuttle said:
I like JT but what I see on the ice wouldn't bemy choice for the C
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Agreed but Matthews has no one to blame but himself. I can’t remember but wasn’t Matthews the front runner until the trouble with security guard?

Either way I think the torch will be passed on to Matthews on his next contract.
 
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It’s funny reading stuff like he “looks faster” now, he isn’t. And he didn’t “look slower” before, he wasn’t. People have been discussing JT’s skating since he entered the league, ad nausea, go look it up, forever debates. He’s the same guy he’s always been, a ponderous skater, with amazing in tight hands and a hard, accurate shot, tough as nails on the puck and great on the draw.
 
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LeafGrief said:
We don't know what goes on in the dressing room, and while it's no surprise that fans don't like a strong silent type as the leader, we don't really know the inner workings of that team. It's Matthews' team anyways and I expect he'll be given the C with his next contract.

That said, I absolutely have criticism for JT's leadership, because I think leadership is a big part of the mental struggles. Coaching and player leadership structures work hand in hand here, and I really think better leadership would have helped put us over the hump in one of those game 7's. Can't blame JT when he was on the sidelines against Montreal, but the fact that they didn't win that series for him never sat well with me. Leadership is complicated and has many layers with different leaders for different things within the same group. Captain and coach take the bulk of those responsibilities, but it was plain to see over the last few years how Dubas has been experimenting with bringing in veteran leadership to supplement.
Click to expand...

making matthews captain instead of marner might not be liked by marner camp
 
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